Low gas price creates frenzy on South Bend's west side

But low gas price to celebrate grand opening creates frenzy.

But low gas price to celebrate grand opening creates frenzy.

July 01, 2006|TOM MOOR Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- Sharron Nesbitt had her car windows down, her radio off and her eyes firmly fixed on the gas station about 200 yards ahead. Traffic was at a standstill, and her car was running on fumes. "I just hope I'm going to make it," she said. She acknowledged the smart thing to do was to go to another gas station, but, then again, it's not every day gas prices dip down under the $2 mark. And that was enough of a reason for Nesbitt, of South Bend, to wait more than an hour to fill up. Even if that meant pushing her car the final few feet. "It's worth it," she said. The Marathon gas station at the corner of Western Avenue and Olive Street turned part of the city into a frenzy Friday afternoon when the owner started selling unleaded gasoline for $1.95. The gasoline was priced at $2.99 before the sale -- which is average for this area. To mark the grand opening of Marycrest Carwash & Auto Repair -- located next to the Marathon in the 2300 block of Western Avenue -- the owner of both stores, Mike Kannon, decided to treat customers to a much-needed break from inflated gas prices. The sale lasted from 3 to 6 p.m. "It's a good chance for us to help people out before the holiday," he said. The sale created a zoolike atmosphere on the city's west side. Drivers battled for position in line for the chance to fill up on cheap gas. A stream of cars could be seen as far down as Sample Street, close to a half-mile away from the station. The intersection of Olive and Huron streets proved to be a tricky one as two lines of cars merged, testing more than a couple of drivers' patience. Other drivers were turned away for coming in the wrong entrance and not waiting in line. Police were called to the intersection to try and keep the situation under control. "It's crazy," said Patricia Brant, of Mishawaka. "When he saw (the prices), we did a U-turn as quick as we could. But then we had to wait in line for more than an hour." Many customers said they heard about the sale on radio station WYPW-FM (95.7), which was advertising the event. They first mentioned there would be a sale on gas Friday morning. "I knew it would be busy, but this is unbelievable," said Roger Khalil, Kannon's cousin, who manages the auto repair store. Kannon had thought about selling the unleaded gas for 95 cents, but figured he'd lose too much money. He estimates the station sold close to 7,000 gallons of gasoline during the three-hour sale. Kannon lost $1.04 for every gallon he sold. But Kannon's loss was Andre Price's gain. Price, of Granger, had put $15 into his Ford Trail Blazer Friday morning, but was already close to empty by the afternoon. He welcomed the cheaper prices. "I had to get out here," he said. "This doesn't happen every day. I'll wait an hour to save $20." Staff writer Tom Moor: tmoor@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6187